Alan Dawa Dolma
Alan Dawa Dolma |
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Alan Dawa Dolma generally referred to as alan (in lowercase) is a Chinese singer of Khampa Tibetan descent who made her Japanese-language debut in 2007 with the single Ashita e no Sanka. She is the first and still the only singer from mainland China signed by Avex Trax to release Japanese songs, and her designated producer and composer is Kikuchi Kazuhito. alan is a devout Buddhist and all of her songs deal with love, hope, peace and the environment. She is also an accomplished er-hu artist.
Biography
Early life
A native of Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province, China, alan was born in Kangding (Dardo), but grew up with her grandparents in nearby Danba (Rongtrag), also known as "Beauty Valley". Her father was a civil servant, while her mother was a former singer. She started to play the er-hu at an early age, and in 1997 she left her hometown for the Affiliated Middle/High School of the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in Chengdu, after ranking first in the er-hu audition as a fourth grader.
In 2003 she was accepted to the prestigious PLA Art Academy in Beijing, and double majored in vocal music and er-hu. She soon joined the "Feel Fine Band (非凡乐队)", an assembly of young female performers of traditional Chinese musical instruments. Playing the er-hu, she performed with the band in many events, including the 2006 gala performance near Cairo, which celebrated the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-Egypt diplomatic ties.
During this time alan also sang in many public performances throughout China. In 2005 she released her first Chinese album Sheng Sheng Zui Ru Lan, covering songs by more established C-pop singers. In October 2006, selected to represent mainland China together with Wei Chen, alan won second place at the 9th Asia New Singer Competition, narrowly losing to Filipina singer Maria Donna Taneo by 0.005 points.
Career in Japan
In early 2006, alan distinguished herself among roughly 40,000 hopefuls when Japan-based Avex Trax held auditions throughout Chinese cities. After graduating with excellence in September 2007, she became Avex Japan's first inked artist from China and moved to Tokyo, Japan. In November 2007 her first Japanese single Ashita e no Sanka was released.
In May 2008, in response to the Sichuan Earthquake she released two digital singles across Asia (Shiawase no Kane and Ai Jiu Shi Shou), and all profits were donated to the Red Cross to help the victims in her home province. She also performed at the Heart Aid Shisen charity concert.
In June 2008, she was chosen to sing the theme song for NHK special "Save the Future" telethon aired around World Environment Day, entitled "Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~" and produced by Sakamoto Ryuichi. Starting with this song, alan's next five singles each dealt with an element from Japan's traditional five elements which are identical to those found in Bön.
Selected to sing the theme song of the Chinese blockbuster Red Cliff, she performed "Xin Zhan ~RED CLIFF~" live at the Cannes Film Festival in May 2008. Its Japanese version, "RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~", released in October 2008 as the fire-themed Japanese single, was chosen as the theme song of Dynasty Warriors 6: Special Edition (PS2).
Personal
Other than Mandarin Chinese and Japanese, alan also sings in Tibetan, especially in her native Kham Ke (e.g. "sign" in Hitotsu), and also occasionally in English (e.g. "Gardenia in Blossom" in Sheng Sheng Zui Ru Lan). alan is still learning Japanese. In addition to er-hu alan can also play the piano and hulusi.
Discography
Japanese Singles
| Single # | Date | Title | Peak position | New songs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2007.11.21 | Ashita e no Sanka | #69 |
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| 2nd | 2008.03.05 | Hitotsu | #100 |
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| digital | 2008.05.20 | Shiawase no Kane | - |
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| 3rd | 2008.07.02 | Natsukashii Mirai ~longing future~ | #19 |
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| 4th | 2008.08.13 | Sora Uta | #34 |
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| 5th | 2008.09.10 | Kaze no Tegami |
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| 6th | 2008.10.15 | RED CLIFF ~Shin Sen~[1][2][3][4][5] |
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| 7th | 2008.11.12 | Untitled |
Chinese Singles, EPs, Albums
| Category | Date | Title and Track Listing | Music Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| album | 2005.08.15 | Sheng Sheng Zui Ru Lan (声声醉如兰; Entranced with the Voice of alan)
|
Starwin Music
(星文唱片) |
| album | 2006.07.19 | Yu Jian A Lan (遇见阿兰; Meeting alan)
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Starwin Music |
| digital single | 2008.05.20 | Ai Jiu Shi Shou (愛就是手; Love is Our Hands) | Avex Trax |
| EP #1 | 2008.06.20 | Xin Zhan ~RED CLIFF~
|
Avex Trax |
Guest Vocal
- [2007.11.07] Tokyo Pudding presents "Tokyo Soundscapes"
- #3 Jane Doe (voices: Itsco, Olivia Burrell, alan, YO!su-K & Makking)
- [2007.12.05] Rin' - "Genji Nostalgie" (源氏ノスタルジー)
- #3 Sennen no Niji (千年の虹; Japanese: Thousand-year-long Rainbow) featuring alan